System, method and apparatus for capturing and training a swing movement of a club

ABSTRACT

A system, method and apparatus for training a swing movement of a club includes storing a desired swing data in a measuring device, capturing a training swing data in the measuring device, comparing the training swing data to the desired swing data to determine a set of differential data, outputting a signal to a user corresponding to the set of differential data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and is a continuation in part ofGerman Patent Application 10 2012 224 321.6 filed on Dec. 21, 2012 andentitled “Messvorrichtung zum Erfasses einer Schlagbewegung einesSchlägers, Trainingsvorrichtung and Verfahren zum Training einerSchlagbewegung,” which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for measuring aswing, providing analysis of the swing and providing feedback to a user.

Prior art swing measuring devices do not provide sufficient precisionand appropriate and timely feedback to the user.

SUMMARY

Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing asystem, method and apparatus for measuring a swing, providing analysisof the swing and providing feedback to a user. It should be appreciatedthat the present invention can be implemented in numerous ways,including as a process, an apparatus, a system, computer readable media,or a device. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed below.

One embodiment provides a method for training a swing movement of a clubincluding storing a desired swing data in a measuring device, capturinga training swing data in the measuring device, comparing the trainingswing data to the desired swing data to determine a set of differentialdata, outputting a signal to a user corresponding to the set ofdifferential data.

Another embodiment provides a measuring device to capture a swingmovement of a club. The measuring device includes a first threedimensional accelerometer to capture a first two-dimensional vector ofacceleration within a first range of acceleration, a second threedimensional accelerometer to capture a second two-dimensional vector ofacceleration within a second range of acceleration different from thefirst range of acceleration, and a first angle sensor to capture of afirst rotation angle, a second rotation angle and a third rotationangle, the first rotation angle corresponding to the firsttwo-dimensional vector of acceleration around a z-axis, where the z-axisis substantially normal to the two-dimensional vector of acceleration,the second angle of rotation corresponding to a one-dimensionalacceleration vector to a y-axis, the y-axis is essentially perpendicularto the one-dimensional acceleration vector.

Yet another embodiment provides a measuring device to capture a swingmovement of a club including at least a two dimensional accelerometer tocapture a two-dimensional vector of acceleration, at least asingle-dimensional accelerometer to capture a one-dimensionalacceleration vector, where at least a one-dimensional accelerometer isarranged to at least a two dimensional accelerometer, that the capturedone-dimensional acceleration vector is essentially orthogonal to atwo-dimensional acceleration vector captured by at least onetwo-dimensional acceleration sensor, and a first angle of rotationsensor for the capture of the first rotation angle of thetwo-dimensional vector of acceleration around a z-axis, where the firstangle of rotation sensor is arranged to at least one two-dimensionalaccelerometer, so that the z-axis is substantially normal to thetwo-dimensional vector of acceleration, marked by a second angle ofrotation sensor to collect a second angle of rotation of theone-dimensional acceleration vector to a y-axis, where the second angleof rotation sensor is arranged to at least one one-dimensionalaccelerometer, so that the y-axis is essentially perpendicular to theone-dimensional acceleration vector.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a schematic of a measuring device to capture a swing movementof a club, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic of an alternative measuring device for capturinga swing movement of a club, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the measuring device, in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1D shows a side view of the measuring device, in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1E shows a top view of the measuring device, in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1F shows an end view of the measuring device, in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are different views of a schematic representation of atraining device including the measuring device, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram that illustrates the method operationsperformed in using the measuring device to train a user to use a desiredswing, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph of measured values in an x-direction of multipletwo-dimensional accelerometers as a function of time, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph of measured values in y-direction of multipletwo-dimensional accelerometers as a function of time, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph of measured values in z-direction of one or moreone-dimensional accelerometers as a function of time, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph of a signal of a first angle sensor as a function oftime, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph of a signal of a second angle sensor as a function oftime, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thesignals shown in the FIGS. 4 to 9 were measured simultaneously using therespective sensors.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic of an external device 1002 for capturingtraining swing data, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several exemplary embodiments for a system, method and apparatus formeasuring a swing, providing analysis of the swing and providingfeedback to a user will now be described. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutsome or all of the specific details set forth herein.

FIG. 1A is a schematic of a measuring device 2 for capturing a swingmovement of a club, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. The measuring device 2 measures movement of a club 4, whichhits a ball, hereafter referred to as swing movements. A swing movementis divided into the sections swing beginning of the swing (a) with abackswing (b), then a forward swing (c), followed by an impact (d) withthe ball. The measuring device 2 measures the swing movement as afunction of time, so that the relevant interval between the beginning ofthe swing (a) and impact (d) can be evaluated.

The measuring device 2 is suited, for example, for the measurement ofswing movements in golf, baseball, tennis and hockey. The measuringdevice 2 can measure the swing movement of a golf club 4 as shown inmore detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The measuring device 2 includes two, two-dimensional accelerometers 6 a,6 b to capture a two-dimensional vector of acceleration ā_(xy). Themeasuring device 2 also includes two, one-dimensional accelerometers 8a, 8 b to capture a one-dimensional acceleration vector ā₂. Theone-dimensional accelerometers 8 a, 8 b are arranged relative to thetwo-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b such that the one-dimensionalacceleration vector ā₂ is substantially orthogonal to thetwo-dimensional acceleration vector ā_(xy).

The measuring device 2 also includes a first angle sensor 10 to capturea first rotation angle θ. The first angle sensor 10 is coupled to thetwo-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b such that the first rotationangle θ the rotation angle of the two-dimensional vector of accelerationā_(xy) around corresponds to an axis z, that is substantially orthogonalto the two-dimensional vector of acceleration ā_(xy).

The measuring device 2 also includes a second angle sensor 12 to capturea second angle of rotation φ. The second angle sensor 12 is coupled tothe one-dimensional accelerometers 8 a and 8 b such that the secondangle φ relates to the rotation angle of the one-dimensionalacceleration vector ā₂ around a Y-axis that is substantiallyperpendicular to the one-dimensional acceleration vector ā₂. The secondangle of the rotation φ is the angle of rotation in the plane of theswing.

The two-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b can function in twodifferent, partially overlapping measurement ranges. The measurement ofthe two-dimensional accelerometer 6 a ranges between about 5 g to about250 g and is thus particularly suited to relatively faster swings. Theother two-dimensional acceleration sensor 6 b ranges between about 0 gto about 15 g and is thus particularly suited for relatively slowswings.

Each one of the two-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b can include two,one-dimensional accelerometers. These one-dimensional accelerometers ofthe two dimensional accelerometer 6 a, 6 b can have substantiallyidentical regarding the measuring range. Alternatively, theseone-dimensional accelerometers of the two dimensional accelerometer 6 a,6 b can have substantially different measurement ranges for theseone-dimensional acceleration sensors. The one-dimensional accelerometersof the two dimensional accelerometer 6 a can be substantially identicalto the one-dimensional accelerometer 8 a. The one-dimensionalaccelerometers of the two-dimensional accelerometer 6 b can besubstantially identical with the one-dimensional accelerometer 8 b.Alternatively the one-dimensional accelerometers of the two-dimensionalaccelerometers 6 a, 6 b can be different than the one-dimensionalaccelerometers 8 a, 8 b. The two-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b canbe housed in a single component.

The angle sensors 10, 12 provide means for detecting an angularvelocity. The angle sensors 10, 12 can be gyroscopic sensors. The anglesensors 10, 12 can be orthogonal to each other, to measure the rotationangles θ and φ. The angle sensors 10, 12 work in a range from about 50to about 2000 degrees per second (deg/s).

The accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b, and the angle sensors 10, 12 canbe micro electro-mechanical systems, commonly known as MEMS.

The measuring device 2 also includes a timing means 14. The timing means14 measures the timing parallel to the accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8b, and the angle sensors 10, 12 allowing each measured value of theaccelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b, and of the angle sensors 10, 12 tohave a corresponding time value assigned.

The measuring device 2 also includes a computation means 16. Thecomputation means 16 receives and preprocess the raw data that areprovided by the accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b, the angle sensors 10,12 and the timing means 14. The computation means 16 calculates a timedependent position of the club in space, as well as the club orientationand speed in the course of the swing based on the captured raw data andon the basis of physical models. The computation means 16 can also,optionally, scale the processed data to correspond to a scale of adesired swing. The processed, optionally scaled, data can be comparedwith a set of reference data corresponding to a desired swing by thecomputation means 16. A detailed description of the function of thecomputation means 16 is given below in connection with the descriptionof a method for training a user to use a desired swing using themeasuring device 2.

The computation means 16 includes a memory system 16 a, a processor 16 band a bus 16 c coupling the memory system to the processor. The memorysystem 16 a stores programs that serve the evaluation of raw datareceived from the accelerometers of 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b, the anglesensors 10, 12 and the timing means 14. The memory can also store avariety of sets of reference data such as may meet an ideal swingsequences that can be used to compare with measured swing movements.

The computation means 16 is coupled to an interface 18. Thus, the rawdata, from the angle sensors 10, 12, the accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8b and timing means 14, and/or the data evaluated by the computationmeans 16 can be output such as, to one or more external data processingsystems. Alternatively, the interface 18 can also provide access toupdate and/or to replace the programs or reference data. The interface18 can be a USB connection, a Bluetooth interface, an infrared port oranother common wireless or wired interface. Preferably, the interfaceprovides a Bluetooth interface for a connection to typical smartphone toallow the smartphone to be used as an external data processing system.

The measuring device 2 can also include a control panel 20. The controlpanel 20 provides a user access to can select software and otherwiseprovide user input to the computation means 16. The control panel 20also provides access for a user to select a reference data set that maybe compared to a measured swing movement.

The accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b, the angle sensors 10, 12, thetiming means 14 and the computation means 16 can be disposed within acompact housing 22. The housing 22 also include one or more fasteners 24for removably mounting the measuring device 2 to a club 4.

The measuring device 2 can also include a signaling device 26. Thesignaling device 26 can be attached to the exterior of the housing 22.Alternatively, the signaling device 26 can be disposed within in thehousing 22. The signaling device 26 emits acoustic and/or opticalsignals to a user. The emitted signal can also include a vibrationsignal. The signaling device 26 can emit signals when the differencebetween the values calculated by the computational means 16 and aselected set of reference data exceeds a limit. The limit can be set bythe user.

The measuring device 2 can also include a motion sensing power switch 16d, shown in FIG. 1A. The motion sensing power switch 16 d applies powerto the measuring device 2 when motion is detected such as a practiceswing of the club 4.

The measuring device 2 can also include a mount sensor 24 a that detectswhen the measuring device 2 is mounted to the club by fasteners 24. Themount sensor 24 a can enable the motion sensing power switch 16 d tobegin sensing for motion. Alternatively, the mount sensor 24 a can applypower to the measuring device 2. The mount sensor 24 a can be a pressuresensing switch capable of sensing the presence of the club by pressure.The mount sensor 24 a can be a magnetic switch capable of magneticallydetecting the club. The mount sensor 24 a can be an optical detectorcapable of optically detecting the presence of the club 4 or aparticular tag or color on the club 4. The mount sensor 24 a can be anyother suitable switching device.

FIG. 1B is a schematic of an alternative measuring device 2′ forcapturing a swing movement of a club, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. The alternative measuring device 2′ issubstantially similar to the measuring device 2 except for somecombining some functions of the accelerometers and angle sensors intotwo, three-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′ to capture athree-dimensional vector of acceleration ā_(xyz). Multipleaccelerometers provide improved the accuracy such as by measuring anamplified signal in parallel and also allowing an adjustment in theorientation that can be used to optimize sensitivity of theaccelerometer's output data.

The measuring device 2′ also includes a single angle sensor 10′ tocapture a first rotation angle θ, a second rotation angle φ and thethird rotation angle η. The angle sensor 10′ is coupled to thethree-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′ such that the first rotationangle θ is the rotation angle of the two-dimensional vector ofacceleration ā_(xy) around a z-axis, that is substantially orthogonal tothe two-dimensional vector of acceleration ā_(xy). The second angle φ isthe rotation angle of the two dimensional vector of acceleration ā_(xz)around a y-axis, that is substantially orthogonal to the two-dimensionalvector of acceleration ā_(xz). The second angle of the rotation φ is theangle of rotation in the plane of the swing.

The three-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′ can function in twodifferent, partially overlapping measurement ranges. The measurement ofthe three-dimensional accelerometer 6 a′ ranges between about 5 g toabout 250 g and is thus particularly suited to relatively faster swings.The other three-dimensional acceleration sensor 6 b′ ranges betweenabout 0 g to about 16 g and is thus particularly suited for relativelyslow swings.

The angle sensor 10′, provide means for detecting an angular velocity.The angle sensor 10′, can be a gyroscopic sensor. The angle sensor 10′,functions within a range from about 50 to about 2000 degrees/second(deg/s).

The three-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′ and the angle sensor10′, can be micro electro-mechanical systems, commonly known as MEMS.The measuring device 2′ also includes a timing means 14. The timingmeans 14 measures the timing parallel to the three-dimensionalaccelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′ and the angle sensor 10′, allowing eachmeasured value of the three-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′ and ofthe angle sensor 10′, to have a corresponding time value assigned.

The measuring device 2′ also includes a computation means 16. Thecomputation means 16 receives and preprocess the raw data that areprovided by the three-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′, the anglesensor 10′, and the timing means 14. The computation means 16 calculatesa time dependent position of the club in space, as well as the cluborientation and speed in the course of the swing based on the capturedraw data and on the basis of physical models.

The computation means 16 includes a memory system 16 a, a processor 16 band a bus 16 c coupling the memory system to the processor. The memorysystem 16 a stores programs that serve the evaluation of raw datareceived from the three-dimensional accelerometers 6 a′, 6 b′, the anglesensors 10, and the timing means 14.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the measuring device 2, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1D shows a side viewof the measuring device 2, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. FIG. 1E shows a top view of the measuring device 2, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1F shows an end viewof the measuring device 2, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. The measuring device 2 can be in the form of a “clamshell”such that it will have two sides 2 a, 2 b with a hinge 2 c coupling thetwo sides. When the two sides 2 a, 2 b are opened, one side 2 a canhouse the electronic components 2 d while the other side 2 b can holdthe battery 2 e. A latching or locking mechanism 2 f will hold the twosides together clamping the club 4 as the club passes between the twosides 2 a, 2 b. The two sides 2 a, 2 b can include clamps 2 g that cansecure the measuring device 2 to the club 4 so that the measuring devicedoes not slide along the length of the club.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are different views of a schematic representation of atraining device 30 including the measuring device 2, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The training device 30 is suitableto train a swing movement of a club 4. To provide prospective, the FIGS.2 and 3 show the training device 30 together with a user. In FIG. 2, theswing path is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the drawingand in FIG. 3 the swing path is substantially parallel to the plane ofthe drawing.

The training device 30 includes the measuring device 2 and a club 4 usedto train a swing movement. The club 4 extends along a shaft axis A. Themeasuring device 2 is mounted to the club 4 such as by fasteners 24. Theclub 4 can be a golf club or any other suitable club as may be used forother ball sports, as described above. Alternatively, the club mayrepresent any tool having a desired swing path such as a broom, mop,paint brush or other tool having repetitive swing type motions.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram 400 that illustrates the method operationsperformed in using the measuring device 2 to train a user to use adesired swing, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. In an operation 405, at least one set of reference datacorresponding to at least one desired swing is stored in a referencedatabase or table in the memory system 16 a of the computational means16. It should be understood that many sets of reference data can bestored in the memory system and each one of the sets of reference datacorresponding to one of many desired swings.

The measuring device 2 mounted on the club 4 such that thetwo-dimensional acceleration vector ā_(xy), which is captured by thetwo-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, is orthogonal to the a-axis ofthe club 4. From the above arrangement of the two-dimensionalaccelerometers of 6 a, 6 b, the one-dimensional accelerometers 8 a, 8 b,the first angle sensor 10 and the second angle sensor 12 relative toeach other and the relative position of the club 4 and thetwo-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b the following relationships arefound: the one-dimensional acceleration vector ā₂, which is captured bythe one-dimensional accelerometers 8 a, 8 b, runs parallel to the clubshaft a-axis. The first angle of rotation θ, which is measured by thefirst angle sensor 10, corresponds to the angle of rotation of the club4 to around the shaft axis A. The second angle of rotation φ, which ismeasured by the second angle sensor 12, corresponds to the angle ofrotation of the club 4 to a y-axis, which stretches primarilyperpendicular to the club shaft a-axis movement.

To be able to use the training device 30 to train a swing movement on adesired swing path, the measuring device 2 is mounted on the club shaftA, that at intended use of the training device 30 the Y-axis aroundwhich the second rotation angle φ rotates, stretches largely orthogonalto the desired swing path.

The procedure for the training of a swing movement with the club 4 on adesired swing path is based the raw data captured by accelerometers 6 a,6 b, 8 a, 8 b, the angle sensors 10, 12, and the timing means 14corresponding to a training swing, in an operation 410.

The captured training swing raw data is transmitted to and processed bythe computation means 16, in an operation 415. The computation means 16converts the training swing raw data into training swing processed datasuch as, for example, the orientation, maximum acceleration, duration ofindividual phases of the training swing and the impact movement, forcedistribution and accelerations during the individual phases and swingpath.

This processing can optionally include scaling the training swing datain an optional operation 420. Operations 410-420 can occur in real timeor near real time, so that the training swing processed data isimmediately available to the user.

A user training a desired swing may not be able to read errorinformation from only the processed data of the swing movement. Thus thetraining swing processed data is compared with a desired set ofreference data corresponding to the desired swing and determines thedifference between the processed data and reference data (i.e.,differential data), in an operation 425.

Multiple sets of reference data, representing multiple different,desired swings can be included in the measuring device 2. The user mayselect the corresponding desired swing and though the control panel 20.

In an operation 430, a feedback signal is output by the signaling device26 when a difference between the measured training swing movement andthe selected set reference data (i.e., the selected desired swing) isdetected. The magnitude (e.g., loudness, brightness, color, amplitude ofthe vibrations, etc.) of the signal can correspond with a size of thedifference. By way of example, an acoustic signal can have an increasingvolume corresponding to an increasing difference between the measuredswing movement and the selected desired swing.

More experienced players such as a professional player, that are notnecessarily dependent on a comparison of the measured data withreference data, can also directly access the captured, processed data. Acomparison with reference data may or may not take place in thisinstance.

The training swing data, as well as the difference to the desired set ofreference data are obtained in real time, i.e. during the trainingswing. Thus, the user can receive instantaneous feedback regarding whichphases of the swing movement are different than the desired set ofreference data (i.e., differential data).

In addition, a user can transfer all data (raw data, processed data,differential data) via the interface 18 to an external data processingsystem. This allows further analysis of swings after the swings werecompleted. By way of example, the swing can be compared to multipleprevious swings to track swing improvement (i.e., smaller differentialdata) over multiple repetitions and multiple training sessions.

The FIGS. 5 to 9 schematically represent the measuring signals of theindividual sensors of 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b, 10, 12 in function of time fora swing with a golf club 4. FIG. 5 is a graph 500 of measured values inan x-direction of multiple two-dimensional accelerometers as a functionof time, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6is a graph 600 of measured values in y-direction of multipletwo-dimensional accelerometers as a function of time, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a graph 700 of measuredvalues in z-direction of one or more one-dimensional accelerometers as afunction of time, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 8 is a graph 800 of a signal of a first angle sensor 10as a function of time, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 9 is a graph 900 of a signal of a second angle sensor 12as a function of time, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. The signals shown in the FIGS. 5 to 9 were measuredsimultaneously using the respective sensors.

The relevant phases of the swing are the swing beginning (a), a backswing (b) and a forward swing (c) and are marked in each measuringsignal. The backswing (b) is the phase between the start of the swing(a) and the moment of the highest club position.

The forward swing (c) is the phase between the moment of the highestposition of the club and the ball hit (d) accordingly. The duration of aswing depends on the user is typically between about 600 ms and about1000 ms. The FIGS. 5 to 9 represent a strike that has a length of about1000 ms. The relative duration of back swing and forward swing is notaccurate, but only schematic, depicted in the FIGS. 5 to 9. Typically,the duration of the back swing is a multiple of about two times as largeas the duration of the forward swing.

FIG. 5 shows how the size of the acceleration vector ā_(x) as acomponent of the two-dimensional vector of acceleration ā_(xy) changesin the course of the swing. As shown in FIG. 3, the acceleration vectorā_(x) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the club shaft A andessentially parallel to the excellent swing path. Two graphs 502, 504are shown in FIG. 5. Graph 502 shown as solid line corresponds to ameasurement of a two-dimensional accelerometer 6 a, which measures in arange of 10 to 100 g. The value of the acceleration measured by theaccelerometer 6 a ā_(x) is shown in FIG. 5 on the left y-axis.

Graph 504 shown as dashed line is a parallel measurement of the secondtwo dimensional accelerometer 6 b, which measures in a range from about0 g to about 10 g. The value by the accelerometer 6 b measuredacceleration ā_(x) is shown in FIG. 5 on the right y-axis. While theback swing (b) is measured with a good resolution by the accelerometer 6b, the signal is saturated for accelerometer 6 b for the forward swingof (c). Conversely, the back swing (b) is not adequately resolved byaccelerometer 6 a, forward swing (c) however quite well. Thus, theaccelerometer 6 b is used for the evaluation of the back swing (b) andthe accelerometer 6 a is used for the evaluation of the forward swing(c). The acceleration vector ā_(x) of the back swing (b) is negative andhas a parabolic course. The acceleration vector ā_(x) of the forwardswing (c) is positive, and has also a parabolic course having a peak atthe moment of impact (d).

FIG. 6 shows two graphs 602, 604 of the magnitude of the accelerationvector ā_(y) as the other component of the two-dimensional vector ofacceleration ā_(xy) changes during the course of the swing. As FIG. 3shows, the acceleration vector ā_(y) is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the club shaft A and runs essentially perpendicular toa desired swing path.

In a swing matching the desired swing, there would be no acceleration inthe y-axis, and the acceleration vector ā_(y) would be equal to zeroduring the whole stroke. The graphs 602, 604 of the acceleration vectorā_(y) shown in FIG. 6 is determined solely from the rotation of the clubaround the club shaft A. The amplitudes of the back swing (b) and of theforward swing (c) are essentially equal in size and differ only in thesign. The graph 604 corresponding to accelerometer 6 b is preferablyused evaluate the entire swing because the amplitudes are generallyrelatively small and thus can typically be more accurately measured byaccelerometer 6 b.

An aim of the training is to the move the club as close as possible to adesired plane, that is, to minimize the displacement of the club fromthe desired plane. This objective can be trained by checking thetrajectory of the acceleration vector ā_(y) with the help ofaccelerometers of 6 a, 6 b.

FIG. 7 shows the magnitude of the acceleration vector ā_(y), whichextends parallel to the club shaft A, changes during the swing. FIG. 7shows two graphs 702, 704. The graph 702 shown as solid line representsthe data measured by the one-dimensional accelerometer 8 a. The graph704 shown as a dashed line represents the data measured by the secondone-dimensional accelerometer 8 b. The corresponding ordinate axes aremarked accordingly. The slope of the acceleration vector ā_(z) of theforward swing follows the slope of the acceleration vector ā_(x) of theforward swing. The slope of the acceleration vector ā_(z) of thebackward swing substantially follows the acceleration vector ā_(x) ofthe backward swing, only the sign is now positive. The evaluation of themeasured acceleration vector ā_(z) is analogous to the procedure ofevaluation for the acceleration vector ā_(x).

On the basis of the measured vectors ā_(x), ā_(y) and ā_(z) theaccelerometers 6 a, 6 b, 8 a, 8 b the address position, i.e. theposition of club 4 immediately prior to the golf swing can bedetermined.

FIG. 8 shows a graph 800 of the variation of the first angle θ of theclub 4 during the swing in relation to the club shaft A. The history ofthe value of the first rotation angle θ during the swing corresponds toa parabola. Often the first angle θ at swing beginning (a) not identicalto the first angle θ at the ball hit (d).

Restated, the clubhead can change its orientation during swing due to arotation of the entire club 4 to the club shaft A. The so-calledopen-close value of the club 4 results from the difference between ofthe two brackets. The difference is a measure of whether the ball willdeviate from the desired flight path more to the left or more to theright. Ideally, the clubhead is moved during the swing vertically to thedesired swing path. A training aim is to minimize the difference betweenthese θ at swing beginning (a) and θ at ball hit (d). This objective canbe trained by checking the history of the first angle θ by the firstangle sensor 10.

A common problem is the so-called YIP. The YIP is a release of the wristcausing an uncontrolled rotation of the club 4 relative to the clubshaft A. The YIP is measured by the first angle sensor 10. The movementtakes place on a time scale of about 50 ms. For capturing this, asampling resolution of between about 50 Hz and about 5000 Hz is neededand more preferably a in particular sampling resolution of between about500 Hz to about 2000 Hz. The YIP is expressed in the time-course of thefirst angle θ as a hooked deviation as shown in FIG. 8. Another traininggoal is to reduce magnitude of the YIP. The magnitude of the YIP can bereduced by checking the history of the first angle θ as captured by thefirst angle sensor 10.

FIG. 9 shows a graph 900 of the variation of the second angle φ of theclub 4 during the swing in relation to the y-axis. The second angle ofthe rotation φ corresponds to the angle of the club 4 during the swingwithin the swing plane. The time course of the second angle φcorresponds to that of the first angle θ. The second angle φ can oftenshow values that differ at the beginning of the swing (a) and at theball hit (d). A so-called launch angle can be derived from thedifference between angle φ at beginning of the swing (a) as compared toangle φ at ball hit (d). The launch angle is the angle that includes thefront area of the clubhead includes with a vertical line at the ball hit(d). A training objective is to minimize the difference of the launchangles φ between at the beginning of the swing (a) and at the ball hit(d) for certain swings. Other swings may require, as closely aspossible, to reproduce a desired launch angle. These goals can betrained by checking the history of the second angle φ as captured by thesecond angle sensor 12.

Alternatively, a determination is also possible using thetwo-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, and the result depends inparticular on the component in the x direction as shown in FIG. 3.However, the accuracy that can be achieved by the second angle sensor 12is much higher than that of the accelerometers of 6 a, 6 b, so thepreferable measurement is that captured by the second angle sensor 12.

The two-dimensional accelerometers 6 a, 6 b, together with theone-dimensional accelerometers 8 a, 8 b and the first angle of rotationsensor 10 provide the relevant data to determine the speed andacceleration of the golf club 4 along the swing path during the swing.

Another important information is the time course of the accelerationvector ā_(z) along the axis of the club. If more than one measuringrange is synchronously recorded the slow acceleration of a puttingmotion as well as the high acceleration of a swing can be capturedwithout overflow. From the time dependency of the acceleration vectorā_(z) a maximum speed of the clubhead can be determined as well as theposition of the club head at the time of the highest speed relative tothe time the ball hit (d). A typical aim of the training is to achievethat the time of the highest speed and the time of the ball hit (d)coincide. A further aim of the training is, to optimize the maximumspeed, that is, for example, to maximize or to train to achieve aconsistent target speed value.

The interface 18 also allows the measuring device 2 to collectadditional data relating to the training swing from external devices.FIG. 10 shows a schematic of an external device 1002 for capturingtraining swing data, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. The external device 1002 is linked to the measuring device bya wireless data link 1004. By way of example, the external device 1002can include a video camera that can capture video of the training swing.The training swing video can be uploaded to the measuring device via thedata link 1004. The measuring device 2 can process the training swingvideo to compare to a corresponding video of the desired swing.

In addition to the differential data described above, the measuringdevice 2 can also present a differential video presentation. Thedifferential video presentation can be in numerous forms. By way ofexample, the differential video presentation can be a virtual videopresentation of the training swing using the training swing datacaptured by the measuring device 2 which can then be compared to thecorresponding desired swing video or desired swing virtual presentationcan be compiled from the corresponding set of reference data. In anotherexample, the video presentation can be an actual live video recording ofat least one of or both of the desired swing and/or the training swing.

An optional video display screen such as a touch sensitive screen can beincluded in the control panel 20. The optional video display screen canpresent the video presentation to the user.

Optionally, the video display screen can be external from the trainingdevice 2. By way of example, the video display screen can be linked tothe training device 2 via the wireless data connection 1004. In oneexample, the external device 1002 video camera can be set up to capturethe training swing video data can include a display screen 1008.

The external device 1002 including the video camera and the displayscreen 1008 can be included in a so called smart phone type of cellphone, a computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a or othersuitable devices such as dedicated cameras, hand-held media players suchas an IPod available from Apple, Inc.

The smart phone includes an operating system, a processor, a data linksuch as Bluetooth or similar wireless link and a cellular telephonetransceiver. The smart phone can also include a data connection 1006 viathe cellular network capable of uploading at least one of the trainingswing video and/or the captured training swing data to a remote internetserver 1012 for storage and further processing. The further processingcan include more intensive analysis of the uploaded data and even remotecoaching from a coach 1014 that may be available to review the uploadedtraining swing data in near real time.

The measuring device 2 can also include a virtual caddy application 16 efor use during play a game. By way of example, when playing a particularhole at a particular golf course, the virtual caddy application 16 e cancompare a user's swing to a recommended swing for the particular hole.

The virtual caddy application 16 e can access a database of informationregarding the particular golf course. The golf course database can beincluded in the virtual caddy application 16 e. Alternatively, thevirtual caddy application 16 e can access the golf course database viathe internet such as via a wireless data link 1004 to an external device1002 having access to the internet.

Accessing the golf course database via the internet can also includeaccessing weather information such as wind, rain and other weatherphenomenon that may affect the swing for the particular hole. Themeasuring device 2 can also include a 3-axis digital compass to detectthe direction of the club 4, so that the golf course database canprovide more information regarding how the wind will affect the swingfor the particular hole.

The measuring device 2 can also include a global positioning system(GPS) sensor that provides positional data. Alternatively, the externaldevice 1002 can include a GPS sensor or otherwise provide location data(e.g., triangulation and any other source of location data includingmanual entry of location data). The virtual caddy application 16 e canuse the GPS sensor and the golf course data to provide feedback on swingdirection, speed, club selection. By way of example, when the user issetting up a golf shot from a rough area off a fairway, the virtualcaddy application 16 e can use the GPS positional data and detailed golfcourse data to determine direction of the swing, speed of the swing andclub selection. Other aspects of the swing can also be recommended suchas how open or closed face of the golf club or any other minute aspectof the swing that could be predicted.

The measuring device 2 can also record the user's personal capabilitiesand the virtual caddy application 16 e can adjust the swingrecommendations based on the recorded user capabilities.

The user can make several practice swings for the measuring device 2 toevaluate and provide feedback for. Thus, perfecting the user's swing forthis particular golf shot.

With the above embodiments in mind, it should be understood that theinvention might employ various computer-implemented operations involvingdata stored in computer systems. These operations are those requiringphysical manipulation of physical quantities. Usually, though notnecessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, andotherwise manipulated. Further, the manipulations performed are oftenreferred to in terms, such as producing, identifying, determining, orcomparing.

Any of the operations described herein that form part of the inventionare useful machine operations. The invention also relates to a device oran apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus may bespecially constructed for the required purposes, or it may be ageneral-purpose computer selectively activated or configured by acomputer program stored in the computer. In particular, variousgeneral-purpose machines may be used with computer programs written inaccordance with the teachings herein, or it may be more convenient toconstruct a more specialized apparatus to perform the requiredoperations.

The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code and/orlogic on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is anydata storage device that can store data that can thereafter be read by acomputer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include harddrives, network attached storage (NAS), logic circuits, read-onlymemory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetic tapes,and other optical and non-optical data storage devices. The computerreadable medium can also be distributed over a network coupled computersystems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in adistributed fashion.

It will be further appreciated that the instructions represented by theoperations in the above Figures are not required to be performed in theorder illustrated, and that all the processing represented by theoperations may not be necessary to practice the invention. Further, theprocesses described in any of the above Figures can also be implementedin software stored in any one of or combinations of the RAM, the ROM, orthe hard disk drive.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified withinthe scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. The measuring device to capture a swing movementof a club, comprising: a first three dimensional accelerometer tocapture a first two-dimensional vector of acceleration within a firstrange of acceleration; a second three dimensional accelerometer tocapture a second two-dimensional vector of acceleration within a secondrange of acceleration different from the first range of acceleration; afirst angle sensor to capture a first rotation angle, a second rotationangle and a third rotation angle, the first rotation angle correspondingto the first two-dimensional vector of acceleration around a z-axis,where the z-axis is substantially normal to the two-dimensional vectorof acceleration, the second angle of rotation corresponding to aone-dimensional acceleration vector to a y-axis, the y-axis isessentially perpendicular to the one-dimensional acceleration vector anda computation means including logic on a computer readable medium forconverting a set of raw data captured from the first three dimensionalaccelerometer, the second three dimensional accelerometer and the firstangle sensor into formatted data that includes an orientation, a maximumacceleration, a duration of individual phases of the swing movement, aforce distribution and a plurality of accelerations during thecorresponding plurality of individual phases of the swing movement and aswing path, wherein the computation means includes an interface, totransmit the processed or raw data to an external data processingsystems.
 2. The measuring device according to claim 1, the first anglesensor capable of detecting an angular velocity of the club.
 3. Themeasuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first angle sensor issensitive in a range from 50 to 2000 degree/second.
 4. The measuringdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first range of acceleration isbetween about 0 g-force to about 15 g-force.
 5. The measuring deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the range of acceleration of between about5 g-force to about 250 g-force.
 6. The measuring device of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first three dimensional accelerometer, thesecond three dimensional accelerometer and the first angle sensor aremicro electro-mechanical systems.
 7. The measuring device of claim 1,further comprising a time measuring means capable of measuring a timeduring the swing movement.
 8. The measuring device of claim 1, furthercomprising a wireless data link from the interface to the external dataprocessing system.
 9. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein theexternal data processing system includes a video camera capable ofcapturing video of the swing movement.
 10. The measuring device of claim1, wherein the external data processing system includes a data link to aremote internet server.
 11. The measuring device of 10, wherein theremote internet server is capable of providing additional processing ofthe captured data.
 12. The measuring device of claim 1, furthercomprising a control panel with which a user can select which processeddata are produced by the computation means.
 13. The measuring device ofclaim 1, further comprising a signaling device capable of outputting asignal to a user based on the raw and/or processed data or the data. 14.A system comprising a measuring device to capture a swing movement of aclub, the system comprising: a first three dimensional accelerometerconfigured to capture a first two-dimensional vector of accelerationwithin a first range of acceleration; a second three dimensionalaccelerometer configured to capture a second two-dimensional vector ofacceleration within a second range of acceleration different from thefirst range of acceleration, wherein the first three dimensionalaccelerometer is different from the second three dimensionalaccelerometer; a first angle sensor configured to capture a firstrotation angle, a second rotation angle and a third rotation angle, thefirst rotation angle corresponding to the first two-dimensional vectorof acceleration around a z-axis, where the z-axis is substantiallynormal to the two-dimensional vector of acceleration, the second angleof rotation corresponding to a one-dimensional acceleration vector to ay-axis, the y-axis is essentially perpendicular to the one-dimensionalacceleration vector; and a computation device including logic on anon-transitory computer readable medium for converting a set of raw datacaptured from the first three dimensional accelerometer, the secondthree dimensional accelerometer and the first angle sensor intoformatted data that includes an orientation, a maximum acceleration, aduration of individual phases of the swing movement, a forcedistribution and a plurality of accelerations during the correspondingplurality of individual phases of the swing movement and a swing path,wherein the computation device includes an interface configured totransmit a processed version of the set of raw data to an external dataprocessing system.